Lin Feng's suspicions were entirely correct. Li Renyao had indeed conducted a thorough investigation into him. Every single move Lin Feng had made since arriving in Biquan City, even down to what he ate each meal, had been meticulously scrutinized. From this, Li Renyao drew one inescapable conclusion: Lin Feng's so-called 'Master' simply did not exist!
Li Renyao refused to believe that such a person could leave absolutely no trace. While others might attribute it to the Master being a powerful Golden Core cultivator capable of evading all detection, Li Renyao was convinced it was a complete fabrication.
This conviction bordered on obsession. From the very beginning, he had never accepted that Lin Feng could possess such a formidable backer. Regardless of others' doubts or fears, he clung stubbornly to his own judgment.
It must be admitted that Young Master Li's deduction was accurate. The 'Master' Lin Feng presented to the world was indeed fictitious. However, his certainty that this meant Lin Feng could be easily dealt with was a colossal mistake…
Li Renyao's hatred for Lin Feng stemmed not only from the perceived theft of the Li Family heirloom, but primarily from the humiliation of that day's abduction. As the Li Family's privileged Young Master, accustomed to feeling superior, he had never endured such disgrace. Possessing a vindictive nature, he would typically have someone's limbs broken for merely speaking ill of him behind his back. The public abduction, the near-death experience, and becoming a laughingstock in the eyes of the city's cultivators were intolerable. He yearned to tear Lin Feng limb from limb.
The repeated warnings from his family elders over the past days forbidding any action against Lin Feng had only fueled his resentment, not quelled it. So, when he learned by chance yesterday that a band of outlaws had arrived in Biquan City, malicious intent immediately took root.
Li Renyao, known for his idleness, maintained connections with the city's lowlifes and rogue cultivators. Through an underground 'gang' contact, he was introduced to the so-called 'Thirteen Tigers of Star City'. He dangled a lucrative offer before them to deal with Lin Feng.
The Thirteen Tigers of Star City were desperate fugitives. Wanted for major crimes in Star City, they had fled to Biquan City with no intention of staying long. This made them ruthlessly opportunistic. Tempted by Li Renyao's offer, they accepted the 'job' almost immediately.
...
Li Renyao watched Lin Feng's stunned expression, a cold sneer twisting his lips. "What's the matter? Struck dumb because I'm right? Can't keep up the act anymore?"
"..." Lin Feng snapped out of his momentary surprise. Seeing Li Renyao's triumphant smirk, he chuckled softly. "Remarkable deduction, Young Master Li. I didn't think you'd see through it... Alright, I admit it. You are correct — I have no 'Master'. That was just... something I made up."
"HAHAHA!! I knew it! All lies!!" Li Renyao roared with vindicated laughter upon hearing Lin Feng's admission. "Without your precious 'Master', what are you?! Today, you learn the consequence of offending the Li Family!!"
Having 'exposed' Lin Feng, Li Renyao felt an immense surge of satisfaction, a sense of superior intellect amidst fools. The only flaw was Lin Feng's continued composure; the frantic panic or groveling terror Li Renyao craved was absent, dulling his triumph. "Still pretending to be calm? Utterly clueless!" he thought contemptuously, then spoke aloud. "Lin, if you hand over my family's property willingly, I'll grant you a quick death. Otherwise... you'll beg for the end."
Though consumed by the urge to kill Lin Feng immediately, he hadn't forgotten the spirit artifact fragment. He needed confirmation it was on Lin Feng before striking.
Lin Feng appeared to 'consider' this, then nodded. "Fine, you can have it. But release him first." He pointed towards Zhang Fangzhou, still bound to the chair.
"Him?" Li Renyao blinked, then a flicker of mockery crossed his eyes. "Deal. Give me the item, and I let him go."
Lin Feng flicked his right wrist, producing the spirit artifact fragment. He held it up, letting it catch the dim light. "Free him now, and it's yours."
"IDIOT!!" Li Renyao's eyes gleamed with greedy delight at the sight of the fragment, swiftly replaced by a vicious grin. "KILL HIM!!"
To Li Renyao, Lin Feng's naivety was staggering. Did he truly believe the hostage would be freed? Both Lin Feng and Zhang Fangzhou had to die. Silencing witnesses was non-negotiable.
"ATTACK!!"
The scarred leader, long impatient, bellowed the order. He was the first to act, flinging out a Tier 2 Chain Fireball Talisman. Multiple searing orbs roared towards Lin Feng. Almost instantly, the others unleashed their own talismans. A blinding storm of spiritual energy attacks – fire, ice, wind, force – converged on Lin Feng from all sides.
Forewarned by Li Renyao about Lin Feng's Mid-Grade Spirit Artifact defensive shield and formidable weapon, they avoided closing in. Their strategy was simple: overwhelm the shield with relentless talisman barrages until it shattered, then obliterate the exposed target. Some of the talismans they wielded had even been supplied by Li Renyao.
"Tch!"
Lin Feng clicked his tongue softly as the assault began. His request hadn't been a genuine attempt to secure Zhang Fangzhou's release and departure. He'd hoped they might at least wake Zhang Fangzhou and bring him closer, minimizing risks during the fight. No such luck. Time for Plan B...
"Hummm..."
The instant Li Renyao shouted the order, Lin Feng activated his Spirit Light Talisman. A golden, eggshell-like barrier shimmered into existence around him. The barrage of talisman attacks crashed against it moments later. Deafening explosions echoed through the derelict warehouse – fireballs detonating, ice shards shattering, concussive blasts rocking the air. Yet, the resilient barrier held, absorbing the onslaught.
"Heh! Keep firing! Don't stop!!"
The scarred leader snarled, already priming another talisman without pause. To him, this was hardly a fight. A mere Foundation Establishment Stage Level 1 ant, even shielded by a Mid-Grade Spirit Artifact, couldn't withstand their concentrated firepower for long. He'd be reduced to ash momentarily.
Indeed, the Thirteen Tigers were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, several at the late stage, with the scarred leader himself at the Great Perfection level. As a group, their raw power rivaled even prominent families like the Li or Loong in Biquan City. Under such focused assault, Lin Feng's shield likely wouldn't last ten minutes.
But... would Lin Feng give them that time?
"Swish!!"
Just as the scarred leader finished unleashing his second volley of fireballs, a streak of silver light shot through the chaotic flare of energies. It moved with lightning speed, aimed unerringly at his face!
"Hmph!" The scarred leader's eyes narrowed, startled but not panicked. He halted his talisman activation, channeling true essence into his legs. With a quick sidestep, he shifted his body a foot to the left. The silver streak whistled harmlessly past his ear. "He threw his weapon? What an imbecile..."
A derisive smirk started to form on his lips as he prepared to resume his attack. Then, a sudden, icy chill pierced the base of his skull.
Utter confusion flashed in his eyes. His head seemed to spin uncontrollably, accompanied by a sensation of falling. In his final flicker of consciousness, he glimpsed a headless body... and a silver gleam hovering in the air, slicing through the empty space where his neck had been...
"Thud..."
The scarred leader's head struck the dusty floor, rolling several times before coming to a stop at Li Renyao's feet. It lay face up, eyes wide open, frozen in an expression of bewilderment, the ghost of that final sneer still etched on his lips...